Quiet Reflection

Today is a very somber day. It's a day we stop and remember the passion of our Christ. Can you imagine the way he felt. Betrayed by one of his loyal disciples, stoned, mocked, and humiliated. This is the chosen one who came to Earth to save us. What did he do, continued to love and said "Forgive them they know not what they do".

Today many Catholics Christians start the Divine Mercy Novena. It's especially close to my heart. As a convert, this was all foreign to me and I had many.... many questions about "catholic" devotions.

The main verse repeated is "For the sake of the sorrowful passion have mercy on us and on the whole world".

It's just a beautiful prayer. Take a moment look over it and if you don't feel called to say the exact wordings just think upon the passion and ask for mercy. Here is an online explanation.

This prayer is to be said at the 3 o'clock hour. It's the time they estimate that Jesus passed.

Do you worry?

How many of us are constantly looking for that "next" thing. (I raise my hand)

So much of our time is spent wanting and longing for something we are sure will make our life better or fulfilled. How long after we get this we are looking for more? How much time is spent worrying about things?

I'm so guilty, very guilty.

Recently we've been looking at moving to a smaller town. I can't tell you the stress that has entered my life. Anxiety, impatience, worry and just plain ole stress.

In addition to moving I worry about my kids, my weight, my clothes, food.... and the list could go on and on.

What does God tell us about worrying?

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat (or drink), or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sew or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are no your more important than they? Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span?"

Matthew 6:25-27

Wow, Jesus tells us to not worry that he always provides for us. We might not have our dream home or all our worldly desires fulfilled but he takes care of us. The last line hits hard. Worrying only takes away and wastes time out of our day. Gotta think about that one....

All I can say and repeat in my head is: "Jesus I trust in you".

Nonsense

Note ( I know this topic is highly controversial. It's one very close to my heart. I've stated facts and sources. I'm educated on this topic and want my point to be valid not just one of passion).

This is a photo of a sign that a planned parenthood supporter held in front of the Texas state capital. They were protesting against the Texas sonogram bill requiring that a sonogram be shown to the women before an abortion.

I wonder if this person and planned parenthood took a minute to read and think about the sign they were holding for the protest.

Read it and think.........

So... an abortion is a form of birth control?

The new Texas bill will require women to see the "contents of their uterus" prior to an abortion procedure. Maybe planned parenthood is afraid the truth will be revealed. The "contents" look and appear to be in the shape of a baby. Planned parenthood will do anything to cover up the truth.

A pro-choice organization says they defend a women's right to an abortion even a late term abortion "because she has determined that she can't give birth or give her child up for adoption". So they approve to terminate the pregnancy and end the child's life. Note above they even call it a "child".

Some abortions (14%) are made during the 2nd trimester (13 - 27 weeks). A recent study has shown that twins at 14 weeks gestation deliberately make movements to the other twin. They touch head to head or arm to arm. Research showed by 18 weeks the twin spend up to 30% of their time reaching out and stroking their c0-twin.

Did you know the medical clinics call the 2nd stage of an abortion an evacuation of the uterus?

It makes me sad to think of all the families battling with infertility and some people get pregnant and abort because it's their form of birth control. (Like the sign states)

Abortion doesn't just kill the babies, it hurts women too. Sadly the abortion industry is a big money maker. Many women are given mis-information and they fail to look past their current circumstances and only look at the short term. I know several women who had abortions and now hurt emotionally and have regret. Watch this video of a hidden camera at a planned parenthood center. You can judge for yourself the information given to women. Here's another one..... and another one.

I pray today for the baby's in danger of abortion. The womb should be the safest place on Earth but sadly for many it's a deadly place. May God give the grace of peace and forgiveness to the women hurting from abortion.

This is all truth, sometimes the truth is hard to hear... especially when it's not what we want to hear.

Please take a moment and say a prayer for an end to abortion and for those in danger of abortion and those hurt by abortion.

Not always safe

My last post now seems more relevant. We Christian moms must stand together to fight off this immorality that is seeping into our children's lives.

I told you I would have some stories when I started this blog. Well here we go.....

Yesterday I got an email from my 8th grade daughters Health teacher who is also a coach. He requested the kids to watch "The Bachelor" on TV. My first reaction was "here we go again". I thought long and hard about my response. I'm trying not to jump on everything as an overprotective mom, but this was a moral issue. I had to stand up.

I sent an email to the teacher and told him that I saw no educational value in this show and it represents everything wrong with what our children see on TV. I want my daughter to be modest and not provocative and promiscuous. Same goes for the boys. I don't want my son going on national TV being a player.

I get a response, usually my correspondence with school staff starts with Mrs. and my last name. Not this time. I get Ma'am, what??? Um no, I'm a parent who should be respected with a Mr or Mrs. Whew, let that one go but it further reinforces my concerns. He next tells me that he wants them to watch the show to show how bad behavior and reality shows can effect their personal health. He also said he has kids and understands why we wouldn't let her watch the show and that he doesn't like the show.

Makes no sense to me. So he wouldn't let his own kids watch it so why should mine?

This brings me to my point. As parents we have to be aware and involved in what goes on in the classroom. Just because they are at school doesn't mean they are getting the same values taught to them. This reinforces my opinion we must be open with our kids so they will talk to us.

Kate made the decision on her own that she wanted to transfer out of the class and into art. This class is where they will discuss sex education. I don't think it was heading in the right direction. Next thing, um let's watch this part of a movie just so you know what "not" to do.

Doesn't work for me!

God's Children

1 Corinthians 1:10

I urge you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and in the same purpose.

What a powerful message from Paul in 1 Corinthians. We Christians were all baptized in the name of the father, son and holy spirit and believe the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins. We are very divided today in different faith traditions and labels.

Over time the churches have broken away to form new faiths taking and changing things that the leaders didn't like.

This is not the way Christ wanted it. Imagine the possibilities if we were all able to unite together as Christians regardless of the name on our church. We all believe in the fundamentals and read the same Bible.

As a Catholic many people ask if I am a Christian, I respond with "yes of course". I believe in the same Jesus and I pray to him just like you do. We differ in our traditions and Sunday services.

None of us here on Earth are given the duty to judge who gets in the gates of heaven and who doesn't. That is a task I'm thankful for. My children have been told they are not going to heaven because they are Catholic. Where does this come from? Parents.

I think twice before I offer judgement on other faiths. There are many things we do not know and understand about each other. Let's love one another.

I don't think heaven has lines that are labeled "Baptist, Catholic, Church of Christ, Non-Denomination". We're all God's children let's work toward changing what we can with our families and children.

Vocation of Motherhood

A friend from my moms group at church forwarded this to me. Finally a good response for those questions "You stay at home..... What do you do all day?"

Click on the article to read.
It's the vocation of motherhood.

Our job as a stay at home mom is just as much a vocation (job) as those who choose to work outside the home.

Some people understand and some people don't.

Be proud of what you do. Raising children is a very important job!

Now back to work, I've got a baby crying who needs a bottle and a 3 year old who needs a snack. Makes me smile!!

Fireproof

This is a personal post very close to my heart. This is the journey of marriage. My husband and I have been married for 10 years in February.

To say it's been an easy road would be a big fat lie, but every down time was followed by learning, correcting and growing closer together in marriage.

Here we are a few years into our marriage in 2004. Here we are in 2010. A bit older and wiser.
We've had our up years and down years. I've thought I couldn't take anymore then somehow God gave us both strength to take one more day which turned into years.

One particular bad year where we were both at our breaking point. God put something in our path.... the movie "Fireproof".

I watched it and cried. It was exactly what we needed just at the right moment.

It was a new starting point for us. This was 2 years ago. Last year God presented us with another challenge. Bed rest for 10 weeks. I cursed and got really upset but it was a cross God brought to us.

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger right? Yes, it does. My husband saw each and every duty that I did. He was to carry the heavy load of a new business and a household, plus a wife who needed to go to the Dr or hospital every few days.

He was right there next to me holding my hand when I thought and knew I just couldn't do or give anymore. With him I realized I could get through anything. What a change in perspective from 2 short years ago.

My biggest marriage savers were:

• Don't ever argue in front of the kids, take a breath and talk later. Cooling down helps things. I sometimes go get a glass of wine then discuss.
• When it comes to the children stand together, compromise.
• Say a prayer before you enter the home to see your spouse after a long day. Take a breath too.
• Take a date night away from the children.
• Spend at least 30 minutes each night talking about positive things without the kids. Remember why you fell in love with this person.
• Don't talk badly to your friends about your spouse, you can never take it back. Plus it will cause conflict between you and your friend.
• Go to church together and pray together.

My marriage is in a good place. Struggles and hardships have made us stronger together.

The seal to the family is a strong marriage. When your family stays together your children thrive in a safe and loving environment.

My husband is also my best friend. Josh, I love you!